Binaural Masking: An Analysis of Models.
Abstract
The goal of this project is to specify the transformations used by the auditory system in order to determine the presence of the signal in an auditory masking task, with particular emphasis on the role of processes that compare information in the frequency domain and in the time domain. Classical models that restrict analysis to a single frequency band and a single temporal window are evaluated. In addition, the role of pattern or 'profile' analysis in auditory processing is being assessed by fitting more complex models to the data. The results show that similar cues determine performance in monaural and binaural masking tasks. Information remote from the signal in frequency can be used to overcome the effects of uncertainty about the stimulus level. Masking noise which does not overlap with the signal in time can either improve or degrade the detectability of the signal, depending upon the interaural phase relations of the masker and the signal. The analyses yield a quantitative description of processes that compare information within the frequency band and temporal window that contain the signal to information in other spectral/temporal regions. Other significant results include a more complete description of internal noise processes and evidence that the external masker is not cancelled by the binaural processor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA195503
Entities
People
- Robert H. Gilkey
Organizations
- Central Institute for the Deaf